FF: Memorial Day memories

I was listening to Teresa, Ed and Neal this morning on CBS6 and they were talking about Memorial Day camping. This reminded me the holiday weekend when I was in high school — a big group of us would head to Lake George for Memorial Day. Half the “cast” would head over to Hearthstone camp ground, while the rest of us would stay at the Georgian.

Basically, the divide had most of the guys at the camp ground, while us prissygirls hung out in the comforts of the hotel.

We’d walk the strip during the day, checking out chintzy souvenirs, eating bad pizza and posing for photos at one of those pictures of yesteryear-type places.

At night, we’d get all fancied up and hit Canada Street again, trying to convince bouncers at places like King Neptune’s to let us in the clubs. When we got rejected — and usually we did — we’d go to the wax museum.

This weekend was, unequivocally, one of my favorite parts of the summer. I felt mature — like a grown-up — being there with my friends.

13 Responses

After the Albany Parade, of which my Dad was the Grand Marshall a number of times, and I was in the Junior Marine Drill Team, we went to the Cemetery and prayed over those who gave their lives for our Country since the Revolutionary War. We boycotted and still do, all the sales going on, it is time to honor the dead, not get drunk or go on a spending spree which dishonors their memory and sacrafice.

We then drove to Martha’s Vineyard for a month, basically to reward my Mom for keeping all 8 of us healthy and fed and clothed, it was “her vacation”. The Vineyard was a great place then, James Taylor was a local creature, he and Carly playing there guitars for anybody who would listen at the local hangout, the bandstand in Edgartown. The last time I was there Taylor owned half the Island or Vineyard Haven and the only Gas Station on the Island. Then we came back to Albany for July, and another parade and then the boys spent the Month of August in the “North Woods” camping out of a large tent, fishing and hiking, while again my Mom was at home “on vacation”..

We have a camp on Lake Champlain – actually there are 4 owned by relatives – Memorial Day is the first official weekend of camp – all the families around spending time together and having a Memorial Day party.

Being a member of a marching band (an honor because it required excellent grades) to honor those who had served this country. We’d march up and down hills in 90 degree heat, but we were proud and grateful for the chance. Oh…and jumping in the pool, of course.

When I was growing up, my sisters and I were involved in a drum and bugle corps which meant marching in parades; 1-2 parades on Sunday and 2-3 parades on Monday. And you always had practice on Saturday.

After I got married and the kids came along, we went camping. But I do find it way too crowded on the 3 day weekends.

Now I just find being at home more relaxing. However this weekend I will be traveling to the Buffalo area for my daughter’s bridal shower.

I think the first two posts nail it. Let’s not forget why we have the holiday in the first place. Although, come to think of it, in the first place it was to honor the Union dead, wasn’t it?

Anyway, when I was young we always went to watch or participate in the parade. Alas, nowadays, I don’t even know if we even have a parade. If you can believe it, this is the first Memorial Day weekend in 16 years that I will not be stalking the sideline at some soccer tournament somewhere on the east coast. The sad price of kids getting older and moving on without me. But, per usual tradition, I will still get to swear at non-moving highway traffic this weekend.

When I was a kid, my family went to a camp in the Adirondacks with the other families from our local volunteer fire department. We stayed in cabins, swam at the lake and listened to songs from the 50’s around a camp fire. It was heaven to an 8 year old!

This year we’re having a cookout with friends and family at our new house. I’m so excited that after years of apartment living, we can finally host a decent shindig.

What’s a vacation? I live in a town that caters to tourists year-round. Our family business was open 6.5 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. My parents put me to work as soon as I was old enough to make change.

Sunday afternoons meant a trip with Dad and my brother to some local attraction within a half hour’s drive, usually something educational and free or inexpensive: hiking in the mountains surrounding our hamlet, Catskill Game Farm (cheaper if we went very early or very late in the season, also less smelly if we didn’t go when it was hot and humid), Hope Farm Bookshop in Cornwallville, Bronck House Museum in Coxsackie, Durham Center Museum in East Durham, New York State Museum in Albany, Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. Mom stayed home to get caught up on a week’s worth of laundry, ironing, dishes, housework and to fix something special for Sunday dinner.

I took my wife to Montreal this weekend for two nights. It was my third or fourth time, but first for her. We had fun, she loved the old montreal, and mont royal. I posted one picture of old Montreal in my blog.